Professor Louise Richardson, the university's principal and vice-chancellor, said: "We are absolutely delighted that Secretary Clinton will join us and other distinguished guests from around the world as we celebrate 600 years of university education in St Andrews.

"In addition to traditional celebrations, we will mark the occasion by doing what universities do best, bringing creative and independent thinkers together to ask difficult questions and exchange novel ideas as we explore the role of universities in the centuries to come.

"As one of the most influential women in the world, Hillary Clinton, as stateswoman, senator and policymaker, never shied away from tackling difficult questions, working to make the world a better place, inspiring others, speaking out for the voiceless and striving ever to excel. We are honoured that she will participate in our celebrations."

Mrs Clinton, who lost to Barack Obama in the contest to be Democratic presidential candidate in 2008, will address an audience of global education leaders, university staff and students at the institution's Younger Hall.

The university has historic links with the US as three of the signatories to the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin, James Wilson and John Witherspoon, studied at or held degrees from St Andrews. And today, almost a fifth of its 6,000 undergraduate students come from North America.

The university will continue to mark its anniversary when leading thinkers gather to debate the future of universities on Saturday.